Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
I have called for a criminal investigation of Merck and key FDA decision makers because these actions are, in my opinion, worse than white-collar crimes like those committed by Enron executives. These crimes by pharmaceutical companies and FDA regulators result in the death and injury of American citizens. Hopefully the Justice Department will send a strong message with the criminal indictment of Merck executives and FDA decision makers who were involved in what increasingly appears to be a conspiracy to conceal the negative side effects of Vioxx while the drug was heavily promoted and sold. |
| REPPED: Pharmaceutical giant Merck is now under scrutiny by the Justice Department, which has begun a criminal investigation into the firm’s marketing of the painkiller Vioxx (withdrawn from the market on September 30, 2004). Since that time, the Vioxx scandal has expanded thanks in part to the publication of internal Merck e-mails by the Wall Street Journal. These e-mails showed that Merck was apparently aware of the dangers of Vioxx several years ago and yet attempted to construct clinical studies to obscure those dangers in an effort to continue marketing these drugs to the general public. |
Melody Petersen See book keywords and concepts |
Around that same time, the federal government launched a criminal investigation into the company's promotion of the epilepsy drug. The government's inquiry eventually forced executives to turn over more than 160,000 pages of internal documents.
Yet the public did not learn about the lawsuit or the investigation for years. The law requires that a lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act be kept secret, even from those it charges with fraud, until the government has time to investigate and decide whether it wants to join in the lawsuit.
Years went by. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker who wrote in a recently-unsealed ruling, "Well-founded or not, rumors of an Orwellian federal criminal investigation into the reading habits of Amazon's customers could frighten countless potential customers into canceling planned online book purchases."
Is the U.S. government trying to profile the psychology of its citizens by secretly data mining their book purchasing habits? Since 9/11 and the passage of the ill-designed Patriot Act (which, if anything, is traitorous, not patriotic), it seems that the U.S. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
There's no call for a criminal investigation of the crimes that have been committed against the American people by top FDA officials, nor is there any attempt to use RICO Act laws (racketeering laws) to investigate the organized crime ring currently being run by Big Pharma and the FDA. There's no call for the FTC to investigate the monopoly pharmaceutical pricing practices that now require Americans to pay as much as 550,000% markups on pharmaceuticals (the highest prices in the world, by far). |
Charles Barber See book keywords and concepts |
While suffering from a lack of innovation in creating new products, the industry has been highly creative, to the point at times of criminal investigation, in pushing the boundaries of their existing products. Major drug companies have been in the news for blatant violations. Under a marketing campaign called "Viva Zyprexa," Eli Lilly pushed Zyprexa, indicated for bipolar and schizophrenia, on patients who did not suffer from either condition. The patients were actually suffering from dementia, a condition for which Zyprexa is not approved. |
Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. See book keywords and concepts |
Cate Jenkins, of the Regulatory Development Branch of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on "Criminal Investigation of Monsanto Corporation—Cover-up of Dioxin Contamination in Products—Falsification of Dioxin Health Studies," to John West and Kevin Guarino, Special Agent Office of Criminal Investigations, EPA.
As per our meeting yesterday, I am summarizing information available to me supporting allegations of a long pattern of fraud by Monsanto Corporation. The fraud concerns 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (dioxin) contamination of Monsanto's dioxin-exposed workers. |
Peter Rost See book keywords and concepts |
So I informed him that I was a witness in an ongoing criminal investigation and listed the statutes that stipulated that whoever retaliates against a witness shall be fined or imprisoned not more than 10 years.
I emphasized that "it is chilling for me to note that after senior management at Pfizer finds out that I am a witness in a criminal investigation, they hire you to ask me to start reporting on all my personal political activities and contacts with the press. |
| I have to admit that I was surprised that Pfizer terminated my employment right in the middle of this criminal investigation. In their eagerness to get rid of me, Pfizer not only embarrassed the United States Attorney's Office by terminating a federal grand jury witness in an ongoing investigation, but also showed blatant disrespect for U.S. Congress and the Congressmen who on September 30, 2004, sent an open letter to Pfizer's CEO and Board of Directors, stating, "We are writing to express our serious concerns at the intimidation being directed at Pfizer Vice President Peter Rost. |
Kevin Trudeau See book keywords and concepts |
This is the first time in the FDA's history that they request a criminal investigation of a manufacturer. The fact is, however, that the drug companies today and the food companies are doing exactly the same thing. It was done before and it continues to be done all in the name of making money.
January 26, 1977. While the grand jury probe is under way, the law firm representing Searle begins job negotiations with the U.S. Attorney in charge of the investigation!! How absolutely outrageous. Imagine what happened here. The U.S. |
Peter Rost See book keywords and concepts |
A separate criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney General's office in New Jersey resulted in the indictment of two executives: The former senior vice president and chief financial officer, and the former executive vice president and president of the Bristol-Myers Squibb's world-wide medicines group. Both were charged with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud, for planning and executing channel stuffing at the company.27
The company also agreed to pay $300 million to shareholders and to enter a deferred-prosecution agreement. This allowed Christopher Christie, the U. |
| So I informed them too, in a separate letter, that I was a witness in a criminal investigation.4
On October 4, I sent an e-mail to Ronald Chapman, Hank McKinnell, and Clark Finkelberg, in which I said, "It is your obligation to immediately terminate your ongoing investigation of my political opinions, the foundation for those opinions, and my past and future contacts with senators and members of Congress."5
I referred to one of Hank's e-mails and said, "Dr. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
More accurately, the FDA is behaving like a criminal organization, and that's why I've called for a criminal investigation of the top decision makers at this agency. Through their negligence and deceit they have cost the lives of countless Americans. They have plotted to promote dangerous drugs while discrediting disease prevention alternatives such as nutritional supplements. They have attempted to destroy alternative health doctors and pioneering researchers who are finding genuine cures and treatments for chronic diseases. |
Peter Rost See book keywords and concepts |
I emphasized that "it is chilling for me to note that after senior management at Pfizer finds out that I am a witness in a criminal investigation, they hire you to ask me to start reporting on all my personal political activities and contacts with the press." I concluded by asking him respectfully to reformulate his request more narrowly so that I might be able to expediently comply with all of Pfizer's wishes.
I also decided that I should pull my invisible bosses into the situation. |
Michael Friedman, ND See book keywords and concepts |
This evidence was detailed in 1990 by Environmental Protection Agency's Office of criminal investigation which charged Monsanto with a "long pattern of fraud" and with reporting "false information" to the Agency.
Fraudulent claims by Monsanto since 1985 that genetically engineered (rBGH) milk is indistinguishable from natural milk. These claims persist despite contrary evidence. Monsanto's reckless marketing in 1976 of plastic Coke bottles made from acrylonitrile, a chemical closely related to VC, prior to its testing for carcinogenicity and migration into the Coke. |
Peter Rost See book keywords and concepts |
He kept emphasizing this point over and over again, since he might not have been able to question me if he knew of my recent letter to Ronald Chapman and Hank McKinnell stating that I was a witness in an ongoing criminal investigation against Pfizer, and that I had given information to various law enforcement officers related to the possible commission of federal offenses.
Mr. Finkelberg started his questioning by informing me that he was aware of my upcoming proceeding before Congress. He then asked for details about this particular event and why newspapers had started to write about me. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
Mike Adams, a consumer advocate and outspoken critic of the FDA who has called for a criminal investigation of the FDA and Vioxx manufacturer Merck. Just this week, the U.S. Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into Merck's apparent cover-up in neglecting to pull Vioxx off the market even though the company was apparently aware that the drug substantially increased the risk of heart attacks, strokes and sudden death, according to internal emails published by the Wall Street Journal.
The FDA is also under intense scrutiny by legislators. |
Mike Adams See book keywords and concepts |
Crawford's attorney, Barbara Van Gelder, said a grand jury has begun a criminal investigation of Crawford ... Van Gelder told a federal magistrate in a telephone hearing Thursday that she would instruct Crawford to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination if ordered to answer questions about his actions as head of the FDA... the herb was used in conjunction with other supporting herbs to balance the overall effects. |
Jeffrey M. Smith See book keywords and concepts |
And in 1990, EPA scientist Cate Jenkins discovered several instances of apparent fraud by Monsanto and urged the agency to do a criminal investigation. She wrote, "Monsanto has in fact submitted false information to the EPA which directly resulted in weakened regulations." Jenkins cited internal Monsanto documents that reveal, among other things, that they doctored samples of herbicides that were submitted to the USD A, hid evidence, substituted false information "and excluded several hundred of its sickest former employees from its comparative health studies. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
REPPED: Merck, already under fire for its Vioxx scandal and now undergoing criminal investigation by the Justice Department, is now also being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The SEC is wondering whether Merck misled investors by failing to disclose facts concerning the harmful nature of its drug Vioxx, which was taken by 20 million Americans, and may now be partly responsible for the heart attacks or deaths of tens of thousands of people. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
It's time for a criminal investigation of Big Pharma
If these seven pillars of fraud describe the criteria by which the U.S. Justice Department is going after Big Tobacco, then Big Pharma should be next in line for federal prosecution. Their crimes are almost identical.
Without a doubt, tobacco companies have no place in a civilized society. Their products kill people, and they are deceptively created and marketed in a way that ignores public safety in order to generate profits. But prescription drugs are no different. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts |
Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into Merck's apparent cover-up in neglecting to pull Vioxx off the market even though the company was apparently aware that the drug substantially increased the risk of heart attacks, strokes and sudden death, according to internal emails published by the Wall Street Journal.
The FDA is also under intense scrutiny by legislators. In recent Senate hearings, medical scientist David Graham, who conducts drug safety research for the FDA, described the agency as "incapable of protecting America. |
Death by MedicineGary Null PhD, Carolyn Dean MD ND, Martin Feldman MD, Debora Rasio MD, Dorothy Smith PhD. See book keywords and concepts |
| Sidney Wolfe, called for a criminal investigation of Schering-Plough, charging that the company distributed albuterol asthma inhalers even though it knew the units were missing the active ingredient.
UNNECESSARY SURGICAL PROCEDURES Summary:
1974: 2.4 million unnecessary surgeries performed annually resulting in 11,900 deaths at an annual cost of $3.9 billion.73'74
2001: 7.5 million unnecessary surgical procedures resulting in 37,136 deaths at a cost of $122 billion (using 1974 dollars).3
It's very difficult to obtain accurate statistics when studying unnecessary surgery. Dr. |
John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton See book keywords and concepts |
This issue is much bigger," Kaufman said, "because this is obstructing a criminal investigation of companies affiliated with organized crime involved in the illegal disposal of waste with an illegal contract at great taxpayer expense. The Burford-Lavelle thing was just using superfund for political shenanigans—determining which site would be cleaned up or not cleaned up based on politics."
In Sierra Blanca, Kaufman said, "We're talking about government basically taking a dive for organized crime during an open criminal investigation."69
Victimless Grime? |
James Trefil, Joseph F. Kett, and E. D. Hirsch See book keywords and concepts |
Fingerprinting is used extensively in criminal investigation, but is also used as a means of identification by many organizations. fluorocarbon See CFC.
FM See frequency modulation. frequency modulation (FM) A type of radio signal in which the frequency of the radio wave is varied to carry information from the transmitter to the receiver. (Compare amplitude modulation [AM].) weight force fulcrum
Fulcrum. |
Leonard G. Horowitz, D.M.D., M.A., M.P.H. See book keywords and concepts |
Both offices then failed to pursue a criminal investigation into the case "noting the absence of supporting evidence."2
Officially thwarted in his effort to relay his circumstantial evidence to the world, on October 1,1993, Parsons's broadcast his claims with the help of Barbara Walters on ABC television's "20/20."3 The authorities thereafter announced that Parsons's testimony was unreliable.
Dr. Robert Runnells, an expert witness hired by attorney Montgomery to argue Acer's negligence in infection control in the now famous Kimwi r/ze Dental Office. |
Stephen Fried See book keywords and concepts |
Attorney's Office that its Ortho division was the focus of a criminal investigation. At 4:43 p.m. a subpoena was faxed to the general counsel's office at J&J. It requested, among other things, all the documents that had just been secretly destroyed.
Three months later, as the grand jury investigation continued, Ortho withdrew its New Drug Application for Renova and appeared to concentrate its energies on getting its relationship with the FDA back on track. |
John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton See book keywords and concepts |
In Sierra Blanca, Kaufman said, "We're talking about government basically taking a dive for organized crime during an open criminal investigation."69
Victimless Grime?
Chemicals, pesticides, acids, heavy metals, radioactivity—to some extent these risks can be quantified. However, assessing the health threat from the human disease pathogens inhabiting sewage sludge defies the capabilities of current science. |
John Robbins See book keywords and concepts |
This was also the first time thousands of federal meat inspectors had ever joined with an animal protection organization in calling for a criminal investigation of a meat company. The National Joint Council of Food Inspection Locals, the union representing the more than 6,000 USDA inspectors, joined with the Humane Farming Association in seeking charges against IBP.
A week after the videotape was shown by Seattle's NBC affiliate, a team from the Washington State Department of Agriculture conducted a spot check of the IBP plant, and reported they found no abuses. |
Thomas J. Moore See book keywords and concepts |
Citing "management deficiencies," an FDA task force conceded the case should have gone to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation.35
When the decidedly mixed verdict was delivered in the Upjohn libel suit against Ian Oswald, the company declared itself the victor. "The company was vindicated," it said.36 In the larger sense, the company perhaps did triumph over its opponents. Over twenty years, it developed and marketed what proved to be the best-selling benzodiazepine sleep aid. It was not until about 1990 that bad publicity and new competition began to reduce its market share. |